Around the World in 80 Days

Nov 12th -only 1000 nautical miles to Manila.
3.15pm went to listen to a guest speaker - John Jones - 35 years in the British Police- handled 100+ murder investigations, served inthe Flying Squad and the Metropolitan Intelligence Bureau. He is now retired but still keeps in touch by doing sessions on t.V. and radioabout crime.He was quite an interesting speaker and story -teller relating some of his cases. his wife Edwina Currie was on board also and she worked with Margaret Thatcher. she gave talks too but they of course were all politics so a bit heavy.

The other night we went and listened to Matt Monroe's son. He sings too but not as good. He is quite versatile and as well as giving tributes to his father he sang contemporary, pop, bigband,Latin, swing , jazz and songs of Michael Buble, Neil Diamond, Beatles and Sammy Davis Jnr.

The following evening it was billed as "Worldwind Journey Back in Time" and was a dancing/singing production - just superb -explosive, colourful, jumping, jiving trip down memory lane. It was a full -on energetic performance with the 50's/60's full skirts with stiffened net petticoats and so on --- all the old favourites we used to dance too.

Later in the night after that there was a pool party 50's 60's theme still up near the Riveria Pool but the venue was changed to the Pacific Lounge 'cos there was 3 spots of rain. John and I danced the night away and finished up with a night cap in the "Crows Nest" which is on Deck 13 way up the front of the ship. On the Saturday evening we went back for the second show with comedian Adrian Walsh and laughed 'til our sides busted.

Sunday Enid and John missed the church service 'cos I told them to change their watches a day too early. That evening was a "Sentimental Journey"- a musical trip back in time to the 30's and 40's -glenmiller,tommie Dorsey, Charlie Bennett, Woody Herman and other songs from that era. Later that evening we attended "Youv'e got to Have Friends" presented by a small theatre company with singers dioing a sleection of standard songs as well as lots of musical favourites.

Monday we were off to brekkie early as we lined up to do a tour of "Old Charms of Manila" check out the photos. we were so tired that evening that we ordered room service and we all had a Baileys with ice and milk - no charge for the room service or the ice or the milk and Enid had bought the Bailey's a BIG bottle for $20 - tax free and duty free.

Tuesday was disaster ----rough seas 30mph winds and 5 m swells so we were a bit squeamish. However we hung in there and weathered the storm. spent the day quietly reading and lazing about and no eating .

Wednesday we were back in charge and ready to face Hongkong. Came home absolutely "stuffed" as we did a day tour of the sights and then backed up at night for a double -decker open topped bus ride. Stepped aboard a traditional chinese junk for a cruise around the waterfront to see Central, Wanchai, Causeway Bay, and the typhoon shelter. After a Chinese Dim Sum Lunch at the Aberdeen Marina Club we were put on a sampan for a ride around Aberdeen Fishing Village. Of course no visit to Hongkong would be complete without a trip on the finicula tramway to Victoria Peak.

Cheers